Under immense pressure, Apple decided to let independent auditors into its suppliers’ factories. So we asked other companies: Will you do the same?

It’s a simple question, phrased politely, and sent to the right people. Does your company have any plans to let independent auditors check up on your suppliers’ factories? Here’s what I got from some of the world’s biggest electronics companies. They had a month to respond:

This is a follow up to my previous post “NEWS FROM THE FUTURE – Factory Audits Becomes a Feature“. I think the massive maker community could help put the pressure on these companies as well. Makers tend to care about the origin of things, how they’re made and by who. We’re also willing to a pay a few bucks more if it’s made better, lasts longer and is repairable – and most of all, I think we care about the conditions in which something is made. At some point an agreed upon indicator will sought after by more and more customers, right now Apple is leading they way, they’re the easy target being #1 in a few arenas – and they’re turning this to the standard that other gadget makers may be held to.

Hm, sounds like this issue has a strong political component, and usually such things are much more complex than they seem at first. I’m not sure I see a strong connection between this issue and the maker community; perhaps we shouldn’t get involved here.

zof

Its too bad its come down to customers and foreign companies to take care of an issue that is that country’s government’s responsibility. A governments primary responsibility to its people is to protect them from both foreign and domestic threats, domestic in this case being inhumane working conditions. Once a government neglects that responsibility it becomes clear the government is only there to keep a few well off lucky people in power.

The same issues that are being brought up now can also be highlighted in the American industrial revolution, at least there those in charge eventually saw reason, although it was not easy. It will be interesting to see the direction these eastern countries will take over the next 20 years, will they follow the west or find a different direction to follow.

Sadly though I can see all these measures that are being put into place being circumvented by these over seas companies, its amazing what you can hide with enough shell companies.